Presiding Chairman: Jere D. Smith
Panel Personnel:
Introduction—R.R. Figuhr
Moderator—E. R. Walde
James Chase
W. O. Reynolds
W. A. Fagal
H. M. S. Richards
R. R. Figuhr
E. Toral Seat
Fenton Froom
J. L. Tucker
The subject under discussion is radio, television, and film evangelism.
E. R. WALDE: "It is rather unfair, I think, to refer to a group of experts, but most of these men have had considerable experience in the use of mass communication, the electronic weapons that God has given us —radio, television, and films.
"I would like to have you meet the members of the panel. First, our General Conference president, R. R. Figuhr; W. O. Reynolds, assisting with the It Is Written program in the Potomac Conference; W. A. Fagal, our Adventist telecaster of Faith for Today; Fenton Froom, pastor in the city of Seattle, Washington; H. M. S. Richards, or perhaps we could say Mr. Radio, the voice of the Voice of Prophecy; my very esteemed associate, James Chase, of the Radio and Television Department in Washington; J. L. Tucker, radio broadcaster of The Quiet Hour program, a veteran in every sense, and E. L. Branson, president of the Greater New York Conference. Brother Figuhr will introduce the subject."
R. R. FIGUHR: "I appreciate the introduction by the chairman of the panel because I am more or less a layman in this field, but like all of our good laymen, I am very much interested in promoting and promulgating the truth over the air.
"We need not remind ourselves that this method of gaining the attention of the people and winning their interest is a tried and tested method.
Millions are being spent yearly, many millions, in advertising different types of wares, and it must pay, because the companies concerned continue to spend their millions promoting their articles. Take, for instance, that very heavily and certainly overadvertised article, the cigarette. In spite of the fact this article is so harmful, that it has been fully established scientifically to be a killer, it continues to sell increasingly every year. This impresses us with the efficiency and the effectiveness of this method of advertising.
"As we go about small towns and cities, we see great forests of antennae reaching into the air, indicating that people are listening to and viewing the radio and television. It is a challenge to us to utilize this effective method. And what a wonderful means it is to increase our public relations. One of the finest features of our broadcasting and televising is that the name, Seventh-day Adventist, is heard frequently in the words, 'Your friends, the Seventh-day Adventists.' Let us not be mistaken about the effectiveness of this. You talk to people who are being baptized today and ask them, Where did you first learn or hear of Adventists? A large percentage will tell you, Over the radio or by means of television. Our laymen are interested in it and they tell their neighbors about it, and their neighbors tell others, and so the word goes.
"Now, the question is, Who should go on the air? Who should be televised? Of course, many of us are automatically ruled out. Relatively few are qualified to go on the air effectively, and still fewer over television. Audiences are very critical. They can do with us on television or radio what they can't do in a meeting, for they can shut us off, and turn to another station. This method of promoting the truth through television is costly; hence the necessity of careful planning, of seeing that our investment produces the most. We are not interested in just getting the name Seventh-day Adventist on the air. We want to get our wonderful principles before the public. Why? To win interests. To follow up any attempt to proclaim truth is necessary. It is so necessary! It takes careful planning, and we must count the cost so that we may get the most out of the investment.
"We are familiar with the fact that the General Conference has been experimenting with a new type of television program entitled It Is Written. Brother Reynolds will be able to tell us more about the project. We are still in the experimental stage, although these brethren have been working on the plan for several years. We believe there is much in it to encourage. But because the stations will be largely paid, the need for careful planning is very necessary.
"Our work today is to proclaim the message God has given us. These means—film, radio, and television—are wonderful agencies."
MODERATOR: "I think that Elder Figuhr's remarks have laid a very fine foundation for our discussion. I notice, by the way, that Elder Toral Seat and Elder L. C. Naden are seated in the audience. We want participation from you brethren, please.
"In the previous panel some very startling things were said in regard to mass communication, very solemnizing questions and statements were made, and I think we are well prepared to believe that here is the media that we must utilize. I am going to begin with the question: 'What are our objectives in broadcasting and telecasting?' Just about two weeks ago I sat in New York with a very informal group. They were broadcasters of The Lutheran Hour and Back to the Bible Hour. A number of the world broadcasters and national broadcasters were present. The chairman said: 'Now we are going to ask the question around the circle, and each one of you tell us, Why do you broadcast?' When it came my turn I tried to answer for the denomination. I'd like to hear now from the panel whether I gave the right answer. What are our objectives in the use of radio, television, and films?"
W. A. FAGAL: "I think there is only one objective, Brother Moderator, to go to all the world to preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Ours is just to carry out the command of the Lord."
W. O. REYNOLDS: "To give the message, to win souls, to get souls ready for the kingdom, is our calling. In some places we have been proclaiming our message over and over again, yet there are other areas that have not been reached. Should we continue as we have been or should we concern ourselves to find a way to reach those who have not been reached previously? Has anyone a real conviction on this question?"
H. M. S. RICHARDS: "Our great objective is to preach the gospel to all the world in this generation and win souls for the kingdom. These electronic means advertise and speed the message with worldwide coverage. We are not just getting people over the line by preaching particular phases of truth, but we are also trying to stimulate a friendly attitude toward this message everywhere. It is up to us to show the world that we are Christians, that we believe in Christ. If we can get over the barriers of certain enemies who through the years have been voicing that Seventh-day Adventist preaching is legalistic and erroneous, then let us recognize the necessary precautions and emphasize the real message of Christ to the world. People will then know that we are born-again Christians and may have a friendly attitude toward our evangelists and teachers as well as toward our literature."
MODERATOR: "Along that very point, Brother Chase, tell us something about prejudices, as mentioned in the writings of Mrs. E. G. White."
JAMES CHASE: "In the book Early Writings, page 61, we read: 'Many all around us only need to have their prejudices removed and the evidences of our present position spread out before them from the Word, and they will joyfully receive the present truth.' So, I believe, Brother Moderator, after observing our various programs, that one of the great objectives of radio and television is to break down prejudice on a mass scale, as well as preach the gospel. Well-planned programs can do that."
MODERATOR: "Let us assume that there is a section of humanity that have ignored our church announcements and our evangelistic advertising; at least it appears that they have not been interested. Perhaps they have visited our meetings and our type of preaching hasn't appealed to them. Now how are we going to remove those prejudices? Will we follow the usual type of preaching? And if so, will that remove their prejudice?"
From the floor came the question: "What breaks down prejudice?"
JAMES CHASE: "If the people just once hear this message, most of their prejudice disappears. Our preaching is all right in general, but sometimes we rub the fur the wrong way. I think most of our men preach the truth in a way to arouse interest in honest hearts. We break down prejudice by reaching the people with our personalities and with the great prophetic truth of the Word. I think we have been impressed with the mail that has come in to Faith for Today. So many have written that they were surprised to find that Adventists are so practical. Brother Fagal might be able to say a word on that."
W. A. FAGAL: "On that point, Brother WaIde, I'd like to quote from a recent letter: 'While this program is sponsored by the Adventists, maybe you yourself are not an Adventist.' Now there is much implied in that statement. I have always assured my correspondents that we are Adventists, and what we are presenting is truly the Adventist view of life. Good counsel has come to us from the messenger of the Lord. It is from Gospel Workers, pages 119, 120: 'In laboring in a new field, do not think it your duty to say at once to the people, We are Seventh-day Adventists; we believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath; we believe in the non-immortality of the soul. This would often erect a formidable barrier between you and those you wish to reach. Speak to them, as you have opportunity, upon points of doctrine on which you can agree. Dwell on the necessity of practical godliness. Give them evidence that you are a Christian, desiring peace, and that you love their souls. Let them see that you are conscientious. Thus you will gain their confidence; and there will be time enough for doctrines. Let the heart be won, the soil prepared, and then sow the seed, presenting in love the truth as it is in Jesus.' That is the way our Saviour worked, and the apostle Paul used the same tact. Our Bible correspondence courses bring out all the fine points of doctrine, but our main task is to create interest.
"Brother Moderator, I would like to suggest what perhaps would be a by-product of our public evangelism. We have found that the radio program is the greatest Bible instructor help that our believers may receive. Those new in the faith in particular, as well as those long in the way, revive their interest and gain a deeper experience by hearing the gospel preached in a new setting. Watching our television program, listening to our Voice of Prophecy and to our local broadcast, they are encouraged and built up in the faith; their quickened minds will urge them to invite others to listen in and view our programs. We have found that this approach produces happy, cooperative believers. Furthermore, this method disarms prejudice."
W. O. REYNOLDS: "The It Is Written film gives the full message, but in a very tactful way, and we have had some very interesting responses because of the impressions that are made. Many who have written in say they appreciate and see the beauties of true Christianity as they have never seen them before. And it is winning hearts. Of course, the test of this program is the way in which the public receives it. The message is making an inroad in a large men's Bible class in one of the popular churches. They are praying every Sunday for the It Is Written program. One church 135 miles away, a Presbyterian church, had special prayer every Sunday morning for the It Is Written program. This shows how the program is winning friends."
MODERATOR: "Are our objectives any different from, let's say, the Methodist or the Presbyterian programs? Certain of their programs seem to be aimed at the Christian interested in the church, but they are also hopeful that it is reaching the atheists and those who are not interested in the church."
W. O. REYNOLDS: "Mr. Moderator, we endeavor to reach the atheists, the non-Christians, the man on the street, as well as the man at church. We are aiming at all of them. It should go to everybody, and the program ought to be of such a nature that there is something in it that will appeal to everybody."
JAMES CHASE: "Brother Walde, I believe the objectives of the Seventh-day Adventist broadcast are exactly the same as the objectives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, to make disciples of all men, of all classes, Christian and non-Christian.
"Now by radio it must be presented by word pictures, creations upon the minds of men with the Scripture illustration, all through one sense, the sense of hearing. But in television there is an avenue where we can present the truth more or less synchronized to the moment, but with a setting similar to that which we use in preaching, by incorporating props, or pictures, whether they be still pictures or moving pictures. Then we can certainly use our charts to great advantage. Why can't black light be used? Blackboards, drawings, and illustrations all have a place. Maybe you haven't sold the idea to the manager yet, but perhaps you could explore it, and show him. We could use our mission films to advantage by cutting them down to a ten-minute showing. Have a missionary come in with his paraphernalia. This makes a great impression on the viewers."
E. TORAL SEAT: "Mr. Moderator, I'd like to explain our need of using laymen in connection with our specially prepared motion pictures. A larger work must be done to put such tools into the hands of skilled and consecrated laymen. While some of our pictures are for the minister who knows when to present stronger doctrines, yet we need others like Elder Fagal's program, for these provide the preparatory setting for the progressive interest. Some helpful plans are right now in the making."
Here Toral Seat explained that many of our laymen, professional and business men, are successfully experimenting with these visual aids. He gave some interesting figures showing some of the results from these methods. A farmer has already won many to the faith. Right now this farmer has a class of forty-five men, and his wife has thirty-five women, all studying the message.
E. L. BRANSON stated that there are few good religious nontheatrical films on the market. Perhaps the best today are produced by Cathedral and Family Films of California, and others by various denominations. Mention was made that the film, The Life of Martin Luther, although in black and white, was the most effective of all. Color filths, however, enhance a perhaps dry subject, and these would be preferable.
Brother Branson urged that the whole matter of using these interest-catching devices should receive a long-term planning. The story of the Advent message and its pioneers could well become a profitable undertaking. These would be well received by our believers as well as by those who are being interested in our worldwide work. It must be apparent to all good thinkers that these color, sound, motion-picture films are the most effective media for Christian publicity.
In the planning and construction of denominational church and school buildings, architects and builders should be made aware of proper wiring for sound and color films. The portable machine and the small portable screen are things of the past today. All denominational groups already recognize the need of adequate push buttons and soundproof rooms. We should consider with other denominations the production of religious films. Here our denominational standards should be duly explained. Again lists of usable films for our work should be prepared, and films that could be used with a minimum amount of cutting. Caution was given to preview and edit every film that is shown and on this point we must become far more alert to save us public embarrassment.
At the request of J. L. Tucker, the moderator revealed some of the newer openings on the horizon. He said: "A few of us have been rather close to something unusually large. We visited the broadcasting station in Tangier, Morocco, that is sending our message into Spain and Portugal, where the voices of Brethren B. Perez and Rabello are heard. We then expressed concern about broadcasting in Scandinavia. We used to reach this area through Radio Luxembourg. Here a five-year contract with another strong religious group is still blocking the way. We inquired about the possiblity of reaching Africa in the south. This suggestion pleased the broadcasters. My recent visit assured me that they have the land and buildings on the island of Fernando Po, just off the coast of Africa. After surveying the adjacent possibilities for such a broadcast, we informed these men that we wanted to reach all of Africa, and Southern Asia where Buddhist pressure took us off the air. Then there are areas in the Middle East we are not reaching. They have prepared a chart and have discussed matters with authorities in Switzerland for the erection of a station that would reach these countries, with a power of 100,000 watts multiplied by seven, by a directed antenna.
"These men from Morocco are here in Cleveland today on their vacation, to see whether we will enter into such plans. Imagine coming from Tangier to discuss our project! Further plans suggest broadcasting five hours daily and also reaching Japan. It is the biggest single project possible for Adventists to undertake. Should we tackle it? as we say in evangelism. This should drive us to our knees, brethren, and there we must find our answer."
J. L. TUCKER: "In all these great centers like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, we ought to have a daily radio or television program. We have these fine broadcasts of Brethren Fagal and Richards, but there ought to be in these centers a daily program where people can hear the voice of the area pastor-evangelist. That is one of the ways to fill our centers and reach the masses. And we can do it. This is God's message and He has ways and means; but we must believe in God, we must believe in miracles, we must believe that these agencies have been brought into existence for one objective, primarily, to finish God's work in the earth."
H. M. S. RICHARDS in his characteristic way reminded us of the words of Moses: "Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets." He urged that we lift our eyes above our present radio and television enterprises and that we recognize and train many younger men of vision to represent us locally on the air. How this would feed our present evangelism! "We should have a thousand radio men and a hundred schools to implement their efforts. Few might give their full time to such a work. We should lay large plans. For instance, a man in New York City could be on the air every day, thus encouraging people to visit the Center. Such programs are a means to an end and not an end in themselves."
FENTON FROOM : "We are told by the messenger of the Lord that no sermon should be preached in which an appeal is not made to souls to surrender to Christ. When we speak over radio or television, we are speaking to the millions, and certainly we should make it clear that we have a life message for men and women. Let's throw out the life line; let's ask them to accept Christ, come to our churches, get ready for God and His kingdom."
MODERATOR: May I add these words from the Christian Herald of July, 1952: 'The whole business of the church is to save souls. Its entire program has the single goal of bringing persons into Christlike life.' If we can remember that, I think we are going to place the emphasis always where the emphasis should be placed. And anything that fails to do this needs restudying, reevaluating. And so we have gathered from this panel the conviction that every single tube and condenser and aerial and speaker in our country ought to be used at least a little time every week, if not every day, in declaring electronically the message of the Lord's love and His soon coming. As we plan big, as we think now in terms of hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single radio station beaming out the message in various languages to much of the world, even into some of the countries where our workers cannot go, let us be men of faith and daring.
"Perhaps the following quotation might be an inspiration to you as it has been to me. These are the words of Dr. Frank Laubach in an address to a missionary congress in Bush Hill Falls, Pennsylvania. 'I am not afraid of the Communists; I am not afraid of the Catholics. I am afraid of some of the Protestants who have neither fire nor vision—men here who begin to see why this might be hard or unprecedented, or premature if not properly surveyed, or too informal, or too big. The put-on-the-brakes type, the go-slow type alone can ruin God's program. 0 ye of little faith, keep your foot off the brake! Let God do the braking if He doesn't want to saVe those souls. Who ever heard of God holding us back? He is impatient. He weeps over us as He did over Jerusalem. We have nothing to fear but fear, for we aren't good enough, hot enough, high enough, daring enough, far-visioned enough, for this splendid hour. Fear the way we are now. We aren't good enough for God.' Is God satisfied with what we call advance? Can there be any doubt as to what God's answer is? Let us accept the challenge, each one individually in his own task, and go forward."
